Sunday Happy

A week of weeks. The weather has been pretty grand, what with warm (maybe just a little too hot) days and cool nights. Stuff is growing at rapid speed and the world is in full bloom all the colors.  I was sitting on the porch yesterday afternoon when it really hit me. It's summer, like for real SUMMER. I need to start doing more of the summer things.

And to top it off, today is Fathers Day (Happy Day to you Dad, I'll call you later and I owe you some cake or something)

As for the happening around here, nothing to crazy, well maybe a little. First off, the allergies this year are killing me and I have been in a semi permanentstage of snot nose, puffy eyes, and heady weridness all week. It's getting old so hopefully it's going to stop soon. Everyone is in full summer swing and we have been jumping around from here to there, babysitting, making dinner, helping out with things(I am the best). I picked up the second farm share of the year which was laden with so many greens that I pretty much have been eating only green all week. Oh, and talk about me being the best. The mr ( he is the best too) and I took Barb out for a few hours of driving and he taught her (and pretty much retaught me) how to parallel park. The next day she went and got herself a real drivers license.(hooray!) Another sister to bring us coffee during the day! (HA) We also finally got the last of the windows in and installed them at the new house which is pretty freaking fantastic. I am so in love with this house but am at the point with the house now where I am done working on it and just want to live there. Not happening yet, few more moths....

Today I think the mr and I are going to find a cure little stream where he can fish and I can read and ponder with my feet dangling in the water. You know, start doing summer stuff. And a bike tire, I need to get a bike tire ASAP. I have been riding around town with the tread of the tire duck taped on the tube (Shut up I know)

Things from the internet to read.

-One day I will have a cabin in the wood with an outdoor shower. 21 Refreshingly Beautiful Outdoor Showers

-Know what poison ivy looks like? Take this quiz on the nasty shit to test yourself.... nasty nasty

-I love this guys work, and I hope to one day see some of it in person. Christo’s Newest Project:
Walking on Water

-'Locally Laid': A Humorous Memoir To Cure You Of Farming Fantasies.. But I still want to be a farmer (veggies and flowers, not eggs)

-I have been thinking about a both or banquette for the kitchen. Not sure if it's going to happen, but these are cute

-Seventh Generation and Maya Rudolph's Singing About Vaginas. Good stuff.

-That's right folks, Oprah Winfrey is writing a cookbook.

-In love with this kitchen.

-Does The Size Of Space Freak You Out? Yes, yes it does.

-Thousands to Descend on Green Mountains for Rainbow Family Gathering.. Are you going? I was thinking about it, I mean, why not?

Some pics from the week.

Happy Sunday

-C

Sunday Happy

 Whenever we bring the pup over to the new house, he immediately grabs his ball and runs to the back door. Usually I let him out for a minute but have to drag him back in and have him lay down while we work. But at the end of each day, I bring him out back again and throw the ball with him.  He is so happy and cute and goofy which makes me so happy. He really has taken to the house and having him there, being so comfortable and happy really makes the house feel like home. It's a great feeling.

The past week.. what a week. So much, so much. Lots of family, lots of work, lots of trying to clean and organize. We finished up what we needed to get done at the new house before the contractors come on Monday (we hired some people to remove some not so good stuff from the attic) so wehave this coming up week to get our shit together, makes sure all the other houses and stuff of life here is taken care of when were are gone and maybe even book a few places to sleep. (we have yet to book a single one.) But hey, we are young and adventurous,  and we'llfigure it out. (I hope)

And I am still deciding weather or not I should unplug the fridge while we are gone or stock the freezer with food to eat when we get back. Oh man, decisions decisions.

But enough about me, how did the first week of the year go for you? I know, we didn't win the power ball so that sucks, but are you feeling like the year started off good? Still keeping your resolutions and staying away from the cookies and making your bed everyday? Don't worry if it didn't stick and you, at this moment, are eating a box of cookies in a very messy bed. It's totally cool to do. Cookies in a messy bed might just be what you need right now. So I say go for it. (just maybe don't make a habit of it)

Stuff to look at while eating your cookies or doing whatever.

-I am a list maker of lists that include finding the list of the lists.that I lost -A Neuroscientist on the Calming Powers of the To-Do List

-I am for sure going to be making some of this Vegan Fish Sauce

-What Exactly is Malt? It's not what I thought.

-This home looks like a lovely place to live

-Some Bathroom inspiration for the new house

-Whoa now. How Real Is Reality?

- I want to live here and here.. part time of course

-I don't get excited for tv easily, but this show.... I laugh every time I see a commercial for it. I am excited!

-Some good information. Non-Dairy Milks: Which to Make, Which to Buy

-Would you buy a $100 donut? (your answer should be no)

-A butt a day. Genius.

And a few shoots from the week.

Have a fantastic weekend!

-C

Homemade Dog Treats

10 years old, this guy.  I can't believe that we have had him for nearly that long (we got him when he was 8 weeks old) 

He has come a long way as our puppy. When we first go him, he was this little tiny fur ball that was so pathetic, he could barely walk down the street without whining. And his little puppy teeth and sticky puppy breath…. so sharp and stinky, but oddly so cute! And then he got bigger, and although still super cute, he wasn't as timid and puppy like anymore. He entered a stage of crazy dog, chewing up the floors and windowsills, maybe even trying to bite your hand off if you went near his food, and needed at least 3 hours of outdoor exercise . What I am saying is, he turned into a beast dog. And he got big, like 75 lbs and as tall as a horse (not really that tall), which was all fine and dandy, but he still had it in his mind hat the was a little lap dog. (We didn't discourage the is behavior)  But we got through that stage (2 years later) and he came to be a more mellow, stop destroying everything, not trying to bite your hand off, pup that still needed at least 3 hours of exercise  a day. Alway happy, always  ready for a good hike, swim, or run.. This lasted about 8 years, his golden years. And now, now he is 10 and has entered a new stage. He is still ready for anything, but  does it at a much slower pace. He doesn't need 3 hours of exercise   anymore and  is happy just to lounge around. All he wants is love and food. . If one thing has been a constant  in this dogs life is that he is a food lover.. like steal your food right out of your hand, kind of love. 

So for his 10th birthday, the mr and I took the guy for a long hike (which kicked his butt for the rest of the day and the next) and I made him some treats. All for him.. my old man puppy. And sure he might now know exactly why I have been giving him treats (we try not to reward him with food. cause we don't want him to get fat) but he sure has been enjoying them. Every time I came home he comes and sits and drools all over waiting for a biscuit. It has turned into his thing.

Anyways, my pup really likes these (although he would probably eat anything) . They are simple, healthy for the dogs, and honestly not that bad a a human snack. And we are coming up  on the holiday season… maybe making some for your puppy or even making and gifting some to your friends with dogs.  (Just and idea)

The stuff. Buckwheat flour, an apple, some peanut butter and some pureed pumpkin.

Grate the apple

and dump the apple, along with the peanut butter and pumpkin puree into the bowl with the buckwheat flour,

Mix it all up until its fully incorporated and is kind of the consistency of play dough.

So here is the deal, you can totally roll the dough out  and use a cookie cutter, but I couldn't find my bone shaped cutter so I hand made the bone shape, which I think came to pretty good. I also was able to make a different sizes. (you know, big ones for when he is really good, little ones for when he being ok).. And really, you don't need to use a bone shape, any shape will do. Whatever you decide  to do. just make sure the cookies are all about 1/2 inch thick so they bake

Stick the cookies on a baking sheet and place them in the oven to bake Then when they are done, leave them in the oven to cool.

After chilling out in the oven, pull them out 

And give one to the pup and stick the rest in the puppy cookie jar. 

And p.s. Not the best tasting human treat, but are actually not to bad. (Just sayin)

-C

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Homemade Dog Treats 

makes 18-24 cookies (depending on the size)

• 1 1/2 cup of Buckwheat flour
• 1 heaping cup pumpkin puree 
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 apple grated

Preheat oven to 350

Stick everything in a bowl and mix up until fully incorporate. If the dough seems to wet, add in a little more flour until the dough is workable with your hands, kinda like play dough.  Roll dough into small balls  and shape into bones that are about 1/2 inch thick or,  roll dough out to about 1/2 inch and use a cookie cutter and cut out bones (any shape works)

Place cookies on baking sheet and stick into oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes then turn the oven off but leave the cookies in the oven to dry. Once the cookies are cooled, remove from oven.. And thats it. Give a treat to your pup and stick the rest in cookie jar. 

Sunday Happy

November 1.. this is some crazy shit. But at least today we get an extra hour, so that's something. 

I am a slightly broken lady. Friday afternoon, after coming home from Washer's birthday hike, I managed to fall backwards off  the middle of my staircase (it's was a pretty high fall). Bam, right on my ass then into a pile on the floor.  Needless to say that it really freaking hurt and the past two days have been a little on the slow side. I have adapted a slight limp, my thumb on my hand got severely jammed so I can barely bend it, and I am sore all over. STUPID STAIRS!  I am not a graceful hurt person, more like a pissed off, want to break things, angry that I am hurt type. I also get kinda mean. I know it's night a very becoming trait, but when I am sick or hurt, I want to be left alone to lick my wounds and anyone trying to be nice and do things for me makes me crazy. I know, I sound like an asshole, but when I am sick or hurt, I think I kinda am. 

But before the fall, my week was going pretty good. We had a pumpkin cookie decorating night which was pretty fun. A couple littles came over and we ate mac and cheese, decorated pumpkins blue (I could only find blue food coloring) and watched the Adams family. It was also Washers Birthday on Friday and we took him for a long birthday hike. The old man is 10, which just blows my mind. I can't believe we have had him and been able to keep him alive for this long (just kidding). But for real, 10 years. And he still acts like a stupid puppy, except a slower moving, more distinguished  looking one. And he doesn't chew the windows or floors anymore. He has some so far.

 What  else? There was some other stuff, but man, my brain is not working properly today so I'll just leave it at that. 

So it's Sunday and my plans include drinking a lot of coffee, making a tasteful playlist of all of my favorite christmas music, then listen to it while making washer dog cookies and more or less, kind of just bumming around all day. You know, to heal my ass. I'll probably pick up a new book and make food as well, but no expectations.. I already told myself that if i didn't move off the couch today, that that would be ok.

How about you? Got any exciting plans for the day? What are you planning on doing with your extra hour? 

If you are looking for something to do, here is some stuff to check out on the world wide web.

-I always think about this. Do We Waste A Lot Of Pumpkins We Could Be Eating? 

-A look inside the pottery studio if Brooke Winfrey.. Love her pieces!

-How to Keep (Most) of Your Herb Garden Going When It's Cold 

-Going here is on my lifetime bucket list

-Where to Store Your Worn (But Not Dirty) Clothes This is something we struggle with.

-In Praise of the Humble Lentil… And praise I do, cause I eat like 4 lbs a week (no joke)

-Some great information of the science of cookie baking 

- I want these boots! 

-Oh so lovely Greenhouse Love

-I want a fireplace anywhere in my house, but a fireplace in the kitchen.. that would be fantastic. 

-Beautiful Pictures of a desert after a rain fall 

And pictures from the week

Have a great day!

-C

SUNDAY HAPPY

It rained a lot this week, and it was fantastic. I love summer rain. I love to play in rain, I love to watch the sky turn grey and big storm clouds roll through.. Add in a little thunder and lightning.. even better. I think the only issue with I have when it rains is when it floods the basement. That and wet dog.(Washer smells like something died when he is wet)

And as usual, this week we did, we went, we came back. We took in a little for a the weekend and had the greatest of times. Puddle splashing walks, waffles, carrots, and lot and lot of gardening. But now I am tired. So today, like every Sunday, I am going to try and take a little breather and catch up on my, "me time".  And maybe I'll get a nap in since last night I got almost zero sleep because the little and the Mr. were all cuddled up and I ended on the edge of the bed receiving a pretty aggressive kick in the back every time I was about to nod off. (She is lucky I didn't make her sleep in a laundry basket).

Anyway, here is some internet fun from the week.

-I think this is where I am meant to go to school. Hogwarts Hops The Pond: Rowling Reveals U.S. Version Of Wizards' School   

 -This  DIY HANGING PLANT LAMP  is cool. I want to make it. 

-These  are cool. Modern Minimalist Bird Houses from Twig & Timber

- This guy is amazing.. Monzter: Artist Hides Monster Murals Inside Abandoned Buildings In Berlin 

- ‘Chunky Knits’ by Anna Mo. I need….

-I love this headboard 

-This house… And check out the tubs next to the beds. Weird, but who am I to say

-12 OF THE BEST IN COFFEE BREWING TECHNOLOGY. Coffee stuff makes me happy.

And some pictures from the past week. 

Have a fantastic day!

-C